September 8, 2010 Edition

Hoxie opens season with win

Nathan Hibbard
Staff Writer

The Hoxie Mustangs built a big first-half lead en route to recording a 38-27 season opening win over the Episcopal Collegiate Wildcats in Little Rock Friday night.

The Mustangs opened the scoring early, when quarterback Sebastian Irvin connected with Kenny Mashburn on a 27-yard scoring pass. Cody Treadaway added the extra point for a 7-0 Hoxie lead with nine minutes to play in the first quarter.

Hoxie added to its lead when Irvin ran 14 yards for a touchdown with 4:03 to play in the quarter. Treadaway's PAT put Hoxie up 14-0.

The Wildcats scored on a 63-yard pass play on their next possession to cut Hoxie's lead to 14-7 at the end of the opening period.

The Mustangs extended their lead to 20-7 early in the second quarter on Irvin's second 14-yard scoring run. Later in the period, Tyler Clement scored on a seven-yard run, to give Hoxie a 26-7 advantage at the break.

Episcopal Collegiate cut into the Mustangs' lead on a 55-yard scoring pass midway through the third quarter. Clement then scored on a 12-yard run for Hoxie, as the Mustangs carried a 32-13 lead into the final period.

The Wildcats struck with another big play, this time a 54-yard run early in the fourth. The two-point conversion made the score 32-21 with 11:40 to play.

Hoxie added their final points on a two-yard run by Irvin with just under eight minutes remaining to push the lead to 38-21.

Episcopal Collegiate added a 56-yard touchdown run on their ensuing possession for the game's final points.

Irvin finished with 211 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 29 carries. He also completed five-of-10 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Clement rushed 12 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns, while Mashburn added 63 yards on six attempts. Treadaway had one carry for 14 yards, and Tyler Hall rushed once for 11 yards.

Mashburn had two receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. Hall had 36 yards on two receptions, and Hunter Flippo caught one pass for four yards.

Defensively for the Mustangs, Tyler Hall, Treadaway and Irvin led with seven tackles apiece. Treadaway also had an interception, recovered a fumble and forced a fumble. Thomas Kingsland and Mashburn each recorded six tackles.

Hoxie will host Greene County Tech on Friday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Crider Field.